Assistant Manager

Unilever; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consumer goods company based in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a CSP Assistant Manager. This role focuses on developing category strategies into actionable plans to drive mutual growth. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in business, 3–5 years of relevant experience, and strong analytical skills. You will collaborate with multiple teams to deliver data-driven insights and optimize trade investments. The company fosters a diverse and inclusive environment, committed to equity and development for all employees.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in CSP, sales, demand planning or finance.
• Familiarity with GCC market dynamics and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to analyze consumer behavior and market trends.

Responsibilities

• Translate brand and category strategies into actionable commercial plans.
• Collaborate with marketing to assess category opportunities and forecast.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, and promotional strategies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Commercial mindset

Proficiency in MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

CATEGORY/FUNCTION INTRODUCTION

The CSP Assistant Manager plays a pivotal role in translating brand and category strategies into actionable commercial plans that drive mutual growth for the company and its customers. By leading the development of category, channel and customer‑specific strategies, this role ensures the effective deployment of pricing, promotion, and assortment levers across the trade. Working cross‑functionally with marketing, sales, finance and supply chain teams, the planner delivers data‑driven insights, optimises trade investments, and enables brilliant in‑market execution. The role is central to aligning strategic intent with operational excellence, ensuring both brand equity and commercial performance are maximised.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. If you are someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and loves seeing their strategies come alive on shelves and in your shoppers’ basket, then this role is just for you!

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Deliver category & brand strategy for growth

• Translate category and brand strategies into actionable trade plans to drive mutual growth for company and customer.
• Lead the Category Building Plan, trade reviews and promotion evaluations for all 5 markets and key customers.
• Collaborate with marketing and CBD to co‑develop tailored promotions that align with marketing plans and enhance retailer commitment.
• Partner with marketing to assess category opportunities, analyse competitor / channel behaviour and support annual planning and forecasting.
• Prepare and present category reviews in CCMs and S&OP.
• Provide detailed analysis of actual sales vs. forecast and propose rolling plans by channel or channel to optimise results.
• Integrate shopper insights into visibility strategies and generate actionable deliverables with brand team.
• Support new product launches with clear plans for distribution and promotion.
• Lead volume demand planning with supply chain.
• Jointly responsible with supply chain for forecast accuracy and managing slow‑moving / obsolete stock KPIs.

Commercial Management

• Track and manage channel investments and P&L, ensuring non‑contractual spend remains within plan.
• Measure and review category performance by channel; support customer / category‑specific management projects to meet strategic objectives.

Net Revenue Management

• Drive Net Revenue Strategy and capability building for revenue realization and maximisation.
• Develop pack‑price strategy recommendations, including elasticity analysis, competitive positioning and profitability assessment.
• Track Category Pack Price by channel and evaluate pack size profitability and positioning for input into brand and category strategy.
• Analyze historical promotions to guide trade promotion budget allocation by channel and category.

Additional Responsibilities

• Analyze market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor activity to inform category decisions.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, and promotional strategies to maximise sales and margin.
• Work closely with marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to execute promotional campaigns and ensure product availability.
• Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in CSP, Sales, Demand Planning or Finance.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis tools.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Commercial mindset with a deep understanding of marketing and sales principles.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Familiarity with GCC market dynamics and regulatory requirements.

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual, you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.
• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviours:
  • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
  • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
  • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
  • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignement, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bring their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.